The news media in the U.S. consist of radio, television and newspapers. Together they are pervasive on the lives of many Americans and influential on their daily routines.

Many Americans begin their day reading the newspaper or watching a morning news program on television while drinking their coffee. While driving to work, the news can be heard on the car radio. Throughout the day the news is broadcast repeatedly on the radio and television.

In the evening news is a prime feature on television with up to two hours of news in the early evening and more news late at night. For those who prefer reading, the evening newspaper offers the reader the possibility of reading the news others see and hear on television.

The news media are free of government control. It is up to the general public to choose what to read, watch or listen to. Therefore, the media must have a sensitivity to the interests of the public.

News is big business. However, it is a very competitive business, as each station or each newspaper competes for audiences and readers. Each tries to present the news Americans want to know. When an item becomes newsworthy,such as an election or a war, Americans will become familiar with the most minute details as the news media scramble to be as informative as possible. But the result is that the news becomes repetitive.

As the news media report the same news items estimated to be the most interesting and impressive, listeners, viewers or readers might find it difficult to be selective.

Nevertheless, most Americans would not criticize their news media too harshly.

The credibility of the news media is generally acknowledged and accepted by the American public.

现在请你回答下面三个问题. 在你回答之后, 老师会念正确答案给你听.

第一个问题是:

M: How do Americans get the news?

F: They get the news through radio, television and newspapers.

第二个问题是:

M: When can Americans get the news?

F: They can get the news in the morning, throughout the day and in the evening.

第三个问题是:

M: How do the news media compete for audiences and readers?

F: They try to report what Americans want to know as fast as possible.